Our internal Top Hand program is special as it based on peer nominations from our AgriBusiness team, recognizing teammates who show a spirit of selflessness, are willing to help with tasks outside their normal responsibility, believe "good enough is never good enough," embody the co-operative spirit and/or rise above adversity.
Winning nominations, as determined by our in-store employees, are then sent to Area Managers to pick the ultimate winners by area. Our quarterly Top Hands are rewarded with a special pin and gift cards that increase with additional wins.
We pride ourselves on exemplary customer service at all of our UFA sites and strive to continuously improve. We do have a Rate Us survey set up for customer feedback and value all of the comments we receive. The URL for this survey can be found at the bottom of our UFA till receipts. Hearing from external stakeholders is always satisfying, but when a teammate gives you a shout-out, that is extra special.
We are pleased to announce our Q1 winners here. Please offer a hearty "Congratulations" if you happen to see them while shopping at their UFA location!
Jim Blair, CSSR2, St. Paul Farm & Ranch Supply store
Top Hand Winner – North
We had an elderly customer call, looking for a specific battery for his vehicle. The gentleman has cancer and was needing to go to Edmonton the next day in order to undergo a treatment. We had the battery, but the gentleman was unable to come to the store until the next day. This was someone who Jim knew outside of work, so he went back to his shop in St. Edouard and collected his own battery charger and brought it to the gentleman's house and charged his battery overnight ensuring he could start his van the next day to get to UFA to get the new battery. He was fearful the old battery would die when he got to Edmonton. When he arrived at UFA, Jim got the battery for him, did the core deposit and then suited up and went out into the -30 degree temperature and installed the new battery before he headed off to Edmonton for his treatment. Our delegate Vern Slonowski was also here at the time and lent a hand and some tools to assist with the battery install. Our customer was very happy with the service and had peace-of-mind going to Edmonton for his appointment. This was such an exemplary example of just one of the ways Jim always goes above and beyond to help a customer out.
Emery Young, Yard Shipper/Receiver, Ponoka Farm & Ranch Supply store
Top Hand Winner - Central
Emery really came through for us when we were short-staffed, putting in large amounts of overtime to ensure we had yard staff available at all times. He worked long hours without complaining and was always super cheery. He is very good with the customers and has worked diligently in the yard, cold storage and feed bay to place them at a higher level of compliance. We haven't called out a single act of going above and beyond – Emery shines every day and should be recognized for his hard work!
Serhii Andriiashchenko, Yard Shipper/Receiver, High River Farm & Ranch Supply store
Top Hand Winner – South
Serhii is very upbeat and always comes to work with a smile on his face and in a great mood. It is this positive energy that got noted by a customer just recently for his service in the yard:
"Leann was great, very friendly and efficient. I then went to the yard to pick up my horse feed and Serhii was there to greet me with the biggest smile, asking how my day was. He asked where I wanted the feed loaded into my truck and finished with a 'there you go' and said have a great evening with a beaming smile. Each week when I pick up feed it's the same big, happy, positive and friendly guy. Serhii is one in a million and always makes my day."
Most recently, Serhii stepped up prior to our inventory and missed some afternoons of school in order to come in and help out in the yard as we were short-handed due to an unplanned vacation. Serhii did this on his own without being asked. Not only does he offer top level service to the customer, but this action was greatly appreciated by the team!
Please join us in congratulating all of our 2024 Q1 Top Hands!
